How Much Does a 12x24 Inground Pool Cost?

If you are wondering how much does a 12x24 inground pool cost, you should know that the average price for this size of pool is $25,200, with per-square-foot costs ranging from $90 to $160. In general, inground pools in the U.S. cost anywhere from $50 to $125 per square foot, ranging from $28,000 to $55,000 for a full installation of a typical pool.

Key Points:

• On average, a standard-sized inground pool measuring 12’ by 24’ will cost you $25,200. This is considerably higher than the price of installing a similarly-sized above-ground pool.
• Some factors that determine the final 12’ by 24’ pool installation cost include the swimming pool material, shape, additional features, and geographic location.
• To reduce the total project cost of installing a pool, you can opt for a small vinyl liner pool with a simple curved shape.
• Several financing options are available to help you cover the cost of the pool installation, including home equity loans, credit cards and lines of credit, pool loans, and more.

12x24 Inground Pool Costs vs. Other Inground Pool Size Costs

An inground pool measuring 12’ by 24’ is considered small. On average, this size of pool costs around $25,200, which is slightly less than the national inground pool average of $35,000. Naturally, a small inground pool costs less than a large one, as it requires fewer materials, as well as less excavation and preparation work.

12x24 Inground Pool Cost by Type of Material

The cost of a standard-sized inground pool can vary dramatically depending on the type of material used. With inground pools of any size, vinyl liner pools are the cheapest inground pools, followed by fiberglass ones. Concrete is usually the most expensive option.

• Vinyl liner: $21,840. A vinyl liner 12’ x 24’ inground pool will cost you $21,840 on average. However, the price can quickly increase to around $35,000 if you invest in landscaping and numerous pool features.
• Fiberglass: $28,080. The fiberglass inground pool cost is $28,080 on average for a 12’ by 24’ size. It isn’t uncommon, though, for fiberglass pools to reach as much as $80,000 in price.
• Concrete: $31,200. A concrete 12’ by 24’ pool will cost you around $31,200. Depending on the customization level and features of your choice, this cost can increase up to $60,000.

12x24 Inground Pool Costs by Shape and Design

Pool shape and design is another important factor to consider when estimating the price of your inground pool. For example, a 12’ by 24’ inground pool that is rectangular in shape will cost more than a similarly-sized oval pool, which, in turn, will cost more than a kidney-shaped pool.

The most popular shapes for inground pools are:

• Kidney-shaped pool: $10,000+. The kidney shape is considered to be the most cost-effective inground pool design. The curved kidney shape allows for a greater swimming area with shorter perimeter footage.
• Circular or oval pool: $16,000+. Circular or oval pools are also relatively cost-effective, even though they typically cost slightly more than kidney-shaped ones.
• Rectangular pool: $20,000+. The rectangle is the most common pool shape out there. Because the shape is simple and quite standard, the cost of a 12’ x 24’ rectangular pool will be reasonable.
• Geometric pool: $70,000+.  Such pools are often built against modern or contemporary homes and are customized to match the architecture. This leads to higher pool installation costs.
• Free-form pool: $70,000+. Similarly, building a freeform pool requires more work and customization, leading to rather expensive costs.
• L-shaped pool: cost varies. The cost of L-shaped inground pools can vary greatly, so it is recommended to speak with a professional pool installer to get an accurate price estimate. 

12x24 Inground Pool Installation Costs

Aside from the pool size, shape, and material, the total pool installation cost will depend on a number of variables. While the average cost of a 12’ by 24’ inground pool is just over $25,000, it can quickly climb up if your backyard terrain needs extensive preparation, for example.

Cost of Installing a 12x24 Inground Pool

When building a 12’ by 24’ inground pool, labor and materials will be your biggest expenses. In general, make sure to set aside sufficient funds for the following tasks:

• Materials: $20,000+. Regardless of whether you go with vinyl liner, fiberglass, or concrete, a 12’ by 24’ pool will cost you at least $20,000 in materials.
• Site preparation: up to $20,000. If your backyard has sloping terrain, trees that need to be removed, or a septic tank that needs to be moved, you can spend up to $20,000 in site preparation costs alone.
• Labor and excavation: $8,000 to $30,000. Labor costs for pool installation alone typically add up to around $8000, with an additional $1000 required for excavation labor. The higher end of the range includes all the labor costs throughout the project, such as plumbing and electrical work, as well as fencing and patio construction.
• Filtration system: $500 to $3,000. Your 12’ by 24’ pool will require a good filtration system to function. Expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $3,000, depending on the type and model of the system.
• Pool equipment: $2,000 to $3,000. Set aside another $2,000 to $3,000 for other pool equipment like a pump, a chemical feeder, a cleaner, and, potentially, a saltwater chlorine system.
• Pool permit: $200 to $300. Most states require that you obtain a special permit for owning a residential pool. The permit fees typically range from $200 to $300.
• Water delivery: $80 to $1,200. Once your pool is ready, you will need to fill it up with water. This can cost between $80 and $1,200, depending on whether you use a garden hose or bring the water in by a truck.

12x24 Inground Pool Installation: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

On average, the labor associated with installing an inground pool will cost you $19,000, or 33% of the total project cost. Of course, saving this amount of money by installing an inground pool by yourself might be attractive, but it is not that simple.

Installing a 12’ by 24’ inground pool is not an easy task. When deciding whether to install the pool in a DIY fashion or hire a professional, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Site preparation. First, you would need to prepare your yard by leveling it, removing any trees, or even blasting away large rocks. To do this, you would need to rent heavy machinery, which adds to the total pool installation cost. 
• Equipment rental. You would also spend money on renting trucks and other necessary equipment to deliver materials and complete the work. 
• Inspections and permit applications. Finally, you would need to deal with inspections and permit applications, - something that would otherwise fall on the shoulders of your pool contractor. 
• Ongoing repairs. Even if you do manage to complete the pool installation by yourself, you will likely be faced with extensive expenses and headaches associated with pool repairs in the future. 

All in all, installing an inground pool in a DIY fashion is not the best idea. It is better to leave this task to a professional pool contractor instead.

12x24 Inground Pool Costs by Geographic Location

The total cost of installing a 12’ by 24’ pool will also be affected by your geographic location and the exact positioning of your backyard. Some things to consider are:

• Seasonal temperatures. If you live in a geographic area with a colder climate, you might want to install a water heater to prolong the swimming season. This will increase both the pool installation cost and regular electricity expenses.
• Labor costs. Contractor hourly rates can vary significantly among different states and even cities. For example, Nebraska and South Dakota have the lowest labor rates in the country, while the state of Hawaii is the most expensive.
• Access to pool contractors. If you live in a warm state like Arizona, Texas, or Florida, you are lucky to have access to more experienced pool contractors. This drives the competition and reduces the total pool installation costs. If you live in one of the northern states, on the other hand, you would be faced with 15% to 25% higher pool installation costs.
• Cost of living. Expensive states like New York or California have higher labor, material, and utility costs, driving the total cost of your pool project up.
• Urban vs. rural areas. If you live in a rural or suburban area, you will likely pay less for the pool installation than if you live in a densely-populated urban area.
• The site of the future pool. Finally, how much does a 12x24 inground pool cost will depend on where exactly your home is located. If your backyard has a significant slope, lots of rocks, and is difficult to access, you will end up spending additional thousands of dollars on site preparation alone.

12x24 Inground Pool Accessories and Add-Ons Costs

A 12’ by 24’ inground pool is not a very big pool - but even a pool of this size will automatically increase your monthly home insurance premium by $25 to $75. In addition, you might want to invest in some pool accessories and add-ons, such as:

• Pool cover: $600 to $2,200. A pool cover is necessary to reduce cleaning costs and keep large debris and animals out of the pool. The cover will cost you between $600 and $2,200.
• Pool heater: $1,600 to $3,800. Installing a pool heater is a great idea for homeowners living in colder climates. This can cost you between $1,600 and $3,800. 
• Saltwater filtration system: $600 to $2,200. You could convert any chlorine pool into a saltwater one by installing a saltwater filtration system. A saltwater chlorinator usually costs between $600 and $2,200.
• Lighting: $700 to $1,800. If you decide to add some lights to your pool, expect to spend another $700 to $1,800.
• Landscaping: $3,000 to $5,000. It is common to spend around $3,000 to $5,000 on landscaping after the pool is installed. You could cut this cost by going minimal and just planting some grass around the pool
• Fencing: $600 to $4,400. Fencing around the pool is often required by local authorities. Depending on the type of fence you choose, expect to spend between $600 and $4,400 to get your pool fenced in.
• Decking: $5,000 to $20,000. Most homeowners like to install a deck around the pool. This can cost between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on the deck material and size.
• Water features: $600 to $20,000+. Adding advanced water features can set you back anywhere from $600 for a simple fountain, and up to $20,000 and more for a set of fountains and, maybe, even a waterfall.
• Diving board and water slide: $300 to $20,000. The cost of a simple diving board starts at $300, while a complex water slide can easily reach $20,000 in cost.

12x24 Inground Pool Maintenance Costs

Once the installation of your pool is complete, you will continue to face pool-related expenses on a monthly basis. So how much does a 12x24 inground pool cost to maintain? Maintenance costs start from a few hundred dollars for pool cleaning and monthly maintenance tasks to thousands of dollars for complex repairs.

• Electricity: $30 to $700/month. Your pool pump and other equipment need to be working on a continuous basis, raising your monthly electricity bill by $30 to $700.
• Water: $80 to $200. Filling up your pool at the beginning of the season will cost around $80 to $200 for a 20,000-gallon pool.
• Maintenance: $180/month. Standard pool maintenance involves adding chemicals and skimming the water. Hiring somebody to do this task for you will set you back $180 per month.
• Cleaning: $50/month. Most of the time, basic pool cleaning is included in the cost of pool maintenance. However, if you were to hire somebody just to clean your pool, you would spend around $50 per month.
• Repairs: $10 to $20,000. When operating an inground pool, you will inevitably be faced with pool repairs sooner or later. Depending on the problem, you can spend between $10 and $20,000 to get your pool up and running again.

How to Save Money on Inground Pool Costs

Installing an inground swimming pool in your backyard is not a cheap endeavor. However, there are certain steps you can take to minimize the costs associated with the project:

• Choose a vinyl liner type of swimming pool. Vinyl liner is the most affordable material available for inground pools. Keep in mind, however, that the vinyl liner will need to be replaced every 10 years or so. 
• Focus on basics. Water slides, fountains, and a pool house are nice to have, but these and other unnecessary features will quickly drive the total project cost up. Instead, focus on installing a basic swimming pool with a pool ladder and minimal decking.
• Build a small, standard-shaped pool. Larger pools with complex shapes cost more to install. A 12’ by 24’ pool is on the small side, but you could go even smaller for maximums savings.
• Order in advance. It is recommended to confirm your pool order in the fall or winter one year before installing the pool. This will ensure that you get the best inground pool prices.

Inground Pool Financing Options

Even if the size and design of your pool allow for maximum savings, you would still end up paying no less than $20,000 for your 12’ by 24’ inground pool. Luckily, there are multiple financing options available to help you cover the costs:

• Credit card or line of credit. If you have a credit card or a line of credit with good credit limits, you could use the funds to cover all or a part of the total pool installation costs.
• Home equity loan or line of credit. You can also take out a home equity loan or line of credit to gain access to the value accumulated in your home.
• Retail financing. Some pool companies will offer you retail financing. This means that you will be able to pay off the full amount of your pool purchase over time, with regular installments.
• Personal loan. Many lenders like Upgrade, Discover, or Best Egg, offer great unsecured personal loans and even dedicated “pool loans” to help you fund your inground pool project.

Whatever financing option you decide to go with, remember to conduct careful research and review loan terms, rates, and conditions. It is also a good idea to take a look at the overall customer sentiment and experience on independent review websites like TrustPilot or BetterBusinessBureau.

Final Word

So, how much does a 12x24 inground pool cost? The average cost of an inground pool measuring 12’ by 24’ is around $25,200, even though this number can vary significantly depending on the material, shape, and features of your pool. If this price is out of your budget, don’t fret! There are multiple financing options available, including unsecured personal loans and pool loans, to help you cover the costs.